The other day I painted using Model master enamel and an airbrush an F-18 in Gull grey and a day later the paint had cracks in it. Does anyone know what this is? I have never had this problem before

Was there a basecoat under it ? I've had this thing before, but I think it was because of the basecoat I used. I used a basecoat of acrylics (Tamiya), and than did a sprayjob with enamels.

When I reverse the action, so spray a basecoat of enamels and added a second acrylics layer I didn't have this problemo.

that's just my two cents..

Actually, you should be able to paint enamel over acrylic and
'" vice-versa " without any problems.
The only thing i can think of is if you neglected to even use
a pimer coat. As my own personal preference, I prime everything,
even it say's that it isn't needed.
Let us know if you didn't or did prime so we can help you with
any other possible alternatives - " That is ", if you want to look into this
any further. I'd be happy to help you.
- ralph

Eagle, I did use a base coat of primer so that is why im confused as to why it happened.

Thanks for you input

Maybe the basecoat wasn't fully cured, so the solvent did the wild thing. Another thing that I can think of is temperature and moisture. Being too hot or too cold can do weird things to painting as well as air that has a hight moisture level.

That's as far as my knowledge goes...just another 2¢.

It sounds to me like the paint was applied too heavily. Try using several thin coats as opposed to one all covering coat.

could have also been a comination of the precited elements. Additionally, there could be a reaction between the paints. Like an allergy you need to ask yourself, What did I do that I don't usually do? Finally, perhaps the gull grey, wasn't mixed well enough and there was some pigment separation, alternatively the colour in question, might specifically have less covering ability. I'd opt for eother the combo factor, or interaction.

Cheers,

Captain Jacks Internatinonal consulting services

Thank you all for your replys. I think the answer might be that here (Miami Florida) we went from a hot, dry weather to where suddenly its been raining every day and its very humid. The basecoat was probably not fully dry when I applied the gull grey

Under the title "Aaaaaaarrrrggggg" I placed another post, describing my own paint problem. I think we might have suffered from the same cause here. Now when the weather has changed I did the same paint thing as before (same strir, colors, brush, model etc.) and the problems didn't occur.....

Wierd hobby we have ....

Where in Miami Army?? I'm just north of you in Ft. Laud...and yes this rain eveyday could certainly leangthen paint dry times.